variants
or less commonly oompah-pah
ˌüm-(ˌ)pä-ˈpä 
ˌu̇m-
: a repeated rhythmic bass accompaniment especially in a band
also
: music featuring such accompaniment
oompah
verb
Examples of oompah in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Revelers can dance to oompah music, enter a dirndl and lederhosen contest, twirl to the polka, choose from more than 50 kinds of beer, or eat bratwurst, apple strudel, fondue, and German tacos.
—
Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2024
Expect non-stop oompah music, 50 kinds of beer, a fun run, and more.
—Pam Leblanc, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2024
From Old World German beer to authentic German food, oompah bands and an artisanal marketplace, this event promises an unforgettable Oktoberfest.
—Brittany Delay, The Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2024
The Alpine Players provide an oompah soundtrack, and there are stein-holding contests for adults and kids.
—Chris Richards, Washington Post, 28 Sep. 2023
This year’s event included some of the usual suspects: crowd favorite Die Guggenbach Buam, the five-man band from Germany playing traditional oompah-pah music, 13 different kinds of beers and German pastries, cookies and cakes.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Oct. 2019
Every hall has a regular rotation of oompah bands, heavy on the brass.
—John Gurda, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2019
Havre de Grace Tourism Office held a grand Oktoberfest, in Hutchins Park on Oct. 12 with oompah bands and dancers, plenty of sauerkraut, beer, bratwurst and pretzels.
—Ronald Browning, baltimoresun.com, 25 Oct. 2019
The 46th annual La Mesa Oktoberfest fills nearly six blocks with a biergarten, beer stein races, keg bowling, vendors and oompah bands.
—Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Oct. 2019
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Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2024
Expect non-stop oompah music, 50 kinds of beer, a fun run, and more.
—Pam Leblanc, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2024
From Old World German beer to authentic German food, oompah bands and an artisanal marketplace, this event promises an unforgettable Oktoberfest.
—Brittany Delay, The Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2024
The Alpine Players provide an oompah soundtrack, and there are stein-holding contests for adults and kids.
—Chris Richards, Washington Post, 28 Sep. 2023
This year’s event included some of the usual suspects: crowd favorite Die Guggenbach Buam, the five-man band from Germany playing traditional oompah-pah music, 13 different kinds of beers and German pastries, cookies and cakes.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Oct. 2019
Every hall has a regular rotation of oompah bands, heavy on the brass.
—John Gurda, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2019
Havre de Grace Tourism Office held a grand Oktoberfest, in Hutchins Park on Oct. 12 with oompah bands and dancers, plenty of sauerkraut, beer, bratwurst and pretzels.
—Ronald Browning, baltimoresun.com, 25 Oct. 2019
The 46th annual La Mesa Oktoberfest fills nearly six blocks with a biergarten, beer stein races, keg bowling, vendors and oompah bands.
—Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Oct. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Oompah.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oompah. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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